This systematic review was carried out by researchers from NIMHANS (Dept of Psychiatric Social Work; Dept of Clinical Psychology), Bengaluru.
(Podiya et al., 2025)
Why this study matters
There’s been an outpour of trending videos where teachers in India are mercilessly berating and physically assaulting children and adolescents. Hence, this study has important implications for teachers and educators.
School is not just a place where students study but also where they experience peer relationships, teacher support, safety, and belongingness.
A negative school climate can lower self-esteem and increase emotional distress, bullying, academic pressure, and poor school connectedness.
In India, where adolescents face heavy academic expectations, understanding school climate can help design better school-based mental health interventions.
School climate refers to the overall “vibe” of a school which includes safety, relationships, teaching style, peer support, and whether students feel they belong.
What the researchers did
A systematic review was conducted on studies published between 2000 and 2023. Research databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, ERIC, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Shodhganga, and others were searched.
Out of 383 records, only 11 studies met the final criteria for inclusion in the review. Together, these studies included 3,711 school-going adolescents from different parts of India.
The review followed the PRISMA guidelines and focused on links between school climate, emotional health, and academic achievement among students aged roughly 13–16 years.
PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines are a standardized checklist used to transparently report how a systematic review searched, selected, screened, and included studies.
What the researchers found
Positive school climate factors such as student-teacher relationships, peer support, school belongingness, safety, classroom environment, and teaching methods were linked with better emotional health and academic performance.
Students who felt more connected to school showed better self-esteem, lower stress, fewer depressive symptoms, and better academic outcomes.
Negative school environments may contribute to bullying, emotional distress, poor motivation, and academic difficulties.
The big takeaway: Improving student mental health isn’t just about telling students to be resilient. Schools also need to become safer, kinder, and more supportive spaces.
Consider sharing this with someone you think would like it.