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Dr. Devin Mills, Ph.D.

Current Position

I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of Community, Family, and Addiction Sciences at Texas Tech University. Additionally, I am hold an Research Affiliate position within the Center for Gambling Studies at Rutgers University.

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Research Overview

My work centers around at-risk behaviors such as problem gambling, problem video gaming, and non-suicidal self-injury. I apply social psychological theories, namely self-determination theory, to understand the development and maintenance of these behaviors as well as individuals' paths to recovery. More recently, I have been observing the subtle (and not-so subtle) "gamblification" of video gaming as well as the rise of gambling within financial markets (e.g., cryptocurrency trading, options trading). Finally, I am fascinated by the construct of mindfulness and the role it plays in protecting individuals from developing addictions but also in facilitating recovery. 

Approach to Student Mentoring

Mentoring graduate students is one of the most important aspects of my job at Texas Tech. Indeed, I would not be here without the fantastic support I have received (and continue to receive) from the myriad of mentors in my life. My goal with student mentoring is to support their development of applied research skills. Early on in their studies, I want my students to identify both short- and long-term goals so that we can make a plan to meet them. I meet with my students at least twice per month individually and the team will meet at least once per month separately. I expect graduate students to be collaborative, organized, and productive regardless of their career goals. Students should expect to either lead or co-author 1-2 conference presentations as well as 1-2 manuscripts per year. Finally, I expect senior graduate students to mentor junior graduate students and undergraduate student volunteers. 

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Interested in joining the team?  Email me:  Devin.Mills@ttu.edu

Selected Publications (see Research tab for complete listing) 

  1. Argento, A., Simundic, A., Mettler, J., Mills, D. J., & Heath, N. L. (in press). Evaluating the effectiveness of a brief mindfulness activity in university students with non-suicidal self-injury engagement. Archives of Suicide Research. https://doi.org/10.1080/13811118.2020.1841052

  2. Stanmyre, J., Mills, D. J., Li, W., & Nower, L. (2022).  Mindfulness profiles among gamblers: Exploring differences in gambling behaviors, motivations, cognitions, and mental health, to mindfulness. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-021-01791-6

  3. Marchica, L. A., Mills, D. J., Richard, J., M. T., & Derevensky, J. L. (2021).  Exploring esports betting in relation to problem gambling, gaming, and mental health problems. Journal of Behavioral Addictions. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.2021.00045

  4. Mills, D. J., Li, W. & Nower, L. (2021).  General motivations, basic psychological needs, and problem gambling:  Applying the framework of self-determination theory.  Addiction Research and Theory.  https://doi.org/10.1080/16066359.2020.1787389

  5. Mills, D. J. & Allen, J. J. (2020). Self-determination theory, Internet Gaming Disorder, and the mediating role of self-control.  Computers in Human Behavior, 105. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2019.106209

  6. Mettler, J., Mills, D. J., & Heath, N. L. (2020). Problematic gaming and subjective well-being: How does mindfulness play a role?.  International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction.  https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-018-9978-5

  7. Mills, D. J. (2019). Does dispositional mindfulness moderate how individuals engage in their passions? An investigation into video games. Leisure Studies, 38(5), 651-665. https://doi.org/10.1080/02614367.2019.1633682

  8. Li, W., Mills, D. J., & Nower, L. (2019).  Loot boxes:  An emerging risk for gambling and video gaming disorder.  Addictive Behaviors, 97, 27–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.05.016

  9. Mills, D. J., & Nower, L. (2019).  Preliminary findings on cryptocurrency trading among regular gamblers:  A new risk for problem gambling?.  Addictive Behaviors, 92, 136–140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.01.005   

  10. Mills, D. J., Milyavskaya, M., Mettler, J., & Heath, N. L. (2018) Exploring the pull and push underlying problem video game use: A Self-Determination Theory approach.  Personality and Individual Differences, 135, 176–181. DOI:  10.1016/j.paid.2018.07.007

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