Positive youth development requires comprehensive health promotion programs.

OBJECTIVE

To explore relationships among problem and positive youth behaviors, commonalities among their predictors, and implications for prevention.

METHODS

Review etiology and prevention literatures.

RESULTS

Risky/unhealthy/antisocial behaviors, poor mental health, and poor academic achievement are highly prevalent and pose critical dilemmas for parents and educators. All behaviors are highly correlated with, and predict, each other; have many of the same risk and protective factors; and strongly influence success and happiness in life. Some examples of comprehensive programs with positive results in multiple domains are provided.

CONCLUSION

We need to prevent problem behaviors and promote positive behaviors with comprehensive, coherent, and integrated approaches.