Low learning engagement among junior high school students is often influenced by various interrelated psychological factors. Here’s a comprehensive summary of the main psychological factors, implications, and brief examples:
1. Low motivation>
– Description: Lack of internal drive to learn, not seeing the relevance of material, or lacking clear academic goals.
– Impact: Students are reluctant to start or complete tasks, grades decline.
– Example: A student feels a subject is “irrelevant” so doesn’t do homework.
2. Low self-esteem and academic confidence
– Description: Negative beliefs about one’s ability to handle school tasks.
– Impact: Avoiding challenges, fear of trying, giving up easily when facing difficulties.
– Example: A student feels “dumb” when getting low test scores, so doesn’t ask questions in class.
3. Low academic self-efficacy
– Description: Belief that one can’t achieve specific academic targets.
– Impact: Poor planning, reduced effort, lower academic resilience.
– Example: A student knows how but doesn’t try because they believe they’ll fail a certain subject’s exam.
4. Stress and academic anxiety
– Description: Pressure from exams, parental/teacher expectations, or fear of failure causing anxiety.
– Impact: Concentration issues, sleep disturbances, decreased performance and motivation.
– Example: A student blanks out during exams despite studying.
5. Depression or negative mood
– Description: Prolonged sadness, loss of interest, or emotional exhaustion affecting school activities.
– Impact: Decreased initiative to learn, absenteeism, social isolation.
– Example: A student loses interest in hobbies and school, often skips.
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6. Lack of social and emotional support
– Description: Minimal support from parents, teachers, or peers emotionally and academically.
– Impact: Feeling alone, decreased motivation, little help when facing learning challenges.
– Example: Busy parents don’t help with schoolwork; teachers give little constructive feedback.
7. Social relationship issues (peer problems, bullying)
– Description: Conflicts with friends, group rejection, or experiencing bullying.
– Impact: Disturbed concentration, fear of school, declining performance.
– Example: A bullying victim avoids certain classes or teachers due to shame.
8. Low academic resilience
– Description: Low ability to bounce back from academic failure or obstacles.
– Impact: Students give up easily when facing academic difficulties.
– Example: A student stops trying after failing a test.
9. Attention and cognitive function issues (e.g., ADHD, learning difficulties)
– Description: Difficulty focusing, organizing tasks, or processing information.
– Impact: Unfinished tasks, missed lessons, declining performance.
– Example: A student is often distracted, missing teacher explanations.
10. Identity development and adolescent emotional changes
– Description: Teenage identity search, emotional fluctuations, focus on social relationships diverting academic attention.
– Impact: Shifting learning priorities, declining academic interest.
– Example: A student prioritizes friendships over lessons.
Brief handling strategies (practical implications):
– Boost motivation via clear goals, material relevance, and positive reinforcement.
– Build self-efficacy through achievable tasks and constructive feedback.
– Provide emotional support: school counseling, parental involvement, peer support groups.
– Identify and address cognitive/mental issues with professional referral.
– Enhance academic resilience via learning strategy training and stress management.
According to the reality there are many the Psychological factors causing low learning engagement in SMP students include low motivation, low self-esteem and self-efficacy, stress/anxiety, depression, lack of social support, social issues, attention disorders, and adolescent dynamics. Intervention approaches should be holistic: emotional support, learning capacity building, and professional referrals as needed.
The author is an English language educator in Empat Lawang, South Sumatera
