This study investigated whether or not high or low risk youths differed on previous items discriminative of problem-prone youth, particularly problem-prone attitudes and preferences, and social and environmental smoking. In addition, the study examined whether high or low use youths differed on items related to a health orientation including health risk factors, sense of coherence items, and health value items. A group identification approach was used to obtain a sample of high risk youth among 1,200 high school students from rural and urban Southern California. A total of 82 youths identified themselves as belonging to a high risk group. High school-aged high risk youth showed the problem-prone distinguishing characteristics of relatively high risk-taking, noninvolvement with sports, and greater use of cigarettes and alcohol. The youths also showed greater socio-environmental use of cigarettes, a greater likelihood to violate norms to protect their friends, greater self-reported family conflict, and greater likelihood to use revenge or have a party as coping strategies. These youths were somewhat lower on risk factor items, sense of coherence items, and health values. However, aside from three of the risk factor items (likelihood of becoming a smoker, likelihood of becoming a drinker, and getting exercise), the youths did not differ from the other groups on the health-related items. Consideration of the social context of high risk youths along with the value they place on their health seems of major importance to decrease the likelihood that they will become regular smokers. (28 references) (LLL)