A novel modified DNA-V group protocol was applied to high-risk adolescents, within a school setting, in a degraded Italian metropolitan area. While the intervention showed the potential to positively influence social behavior and conduct, through mindful thinking and value-based actions, the paucity of social and cognitive resources available to the adolescents and other barriers to the implementation prevented a highhighly active participation. A future RCT of the modified DNA-V intervention presented in the study is not feasible in its current form. Despite this, considerable and valuable insight has been obtained showing the need for a greater embedding. Future studies could consider the use of contextual, technological and methodological modifications to increase the engagement of the students and other stakeholders. A careful consideration of the cognitive characteristics of the participants is also needed.