The Causes and Countermeasures of Middle School Students' Rebellious Psychology

The rebellious psychology of junior high school students is mainly caused by physiological changes during adolescence, self-awareness awakening, improper family communication methods, school education pressure, and social environmental influences. It can be alleviated by improving parent-child relationships, adjusting education methods, cultivating emotional management abilities, establishing reasonable rules, and strengthening psychological counseling.

1. Physiological Changes during Adolescence

During the middle school stage, which is the beginning of puberty, severe fluctuations in hormone levels in the body can lead to emotional instability. The development of the prefrontal cortex in the brain is not yet fully developed, and its ability to control impulses and rational thinking is weak, making it prone to instinctual resistance to external constraints. At this point, there is no need to excessively suppress the child's emotional reactions. It is possible to guide them to release excess energy through exercise, and ensuring more than 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per day can help balance their endocrine system.

II. Self awareness Awakening

The age of 12-15 is a critical stage of psychological weaning, during which adolescents confirm their own boundaries by denying authority. This is a normal phenomenon in the process of cognitive development, manifested as deliberately refuting parents' views and refusing to comply with reasonable demands. Parents should avoid direct conflicts, use nonviolent communication skills, and use expressions such as "I observe" and "I feel" to give their children appropriate autonomy in decision-making.

3. Improper family communication methods

Both authoritarian and indulgent parenting styles can easily trigger rebellious behavior. Frequent preaching and excessive protection can make children feel suffocated, while a lack of effective companionship can encourage children to use confrontation to attract attention. It is recommended to adopt an authoritative parenting model, schedule weekly parent-child conversations, listen without interruption or judgment, and maintain a gentle yet firm attitude towards principled issues.

4. School Education Pressure

The excessive academic burden in the exam oriented education environment can consume students' psychological energy. When the grades do not meet expectations, some students may turn their frustration into a challenge to the authority of their teachers. Schools can offer mental health courses, and teachers should avoid public criticism and use a growth mindset to evaluate students, focusing on the learning process rather than the outcome.

V. Social Environmental Stimulus

The excessive portrayal of rebellious images in online media can affect the formation of adolescent values. The pressure of conformity within peer groups may also reinforce rebellious behavior. We need to help children improve their media literacy by cultivating critical thinking through discussions on film and television works, analyzing social events, and encouraging participation in positive social activities such as volunteering. Improving the rebellious psychology of middle school students requires the joint efforts of families, schools, and society. Parents should learn developmental psychology knowledge, master scaffolding style guidance techniques, and maintain emotional stability when their children explore boundaries. Schools should establish a diversified evaluation system to provide a platform for showcasing students with different traits. Regularly conduct family therapy workshops to help both parents and children practice nonviolent communication skills. Pay attention to ensuring that children get 8 hours of sleep every day, limit screen time to 2 hours, and add deep-sea fish, nuts, and other foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids to their diet. Meeting these basic physiological needs can significantly reduce the probability of emotional conflicts. If the rebellious behavior is accompanied by sustained low mood or aggressive tendencies, it is recommended to seek evaluation from a professional child psychologist.