Using a positive youth development approach in addressing problem-oriented youth behavior

Interest has grown in the positive youth development (PYD) approach and its application to youth in a variety of settings. When using the PYD approach, workers focus on youth assets rather than deficits, collaborate with youth in planning the youth's future, build youth competencies rather than doing tasks for the youth, adopt a holistic perspective of healthy personal growth, and engage in long-range planning rather than short-term solutions. This approach has not typically been applied to youth who demonstrate problem behavior such as substance abuse or psychiatric symptoms. Building on three theories-strengths, coping, and stages of change-we offer practice guidelines for applying the PYD approach to problem-oriented youth behavior, with substance abuse as an example.