Thomas VIKOLER, BSc, MSc

Dr. Thomas VIKOLER, MSc BSc
Department for Psychology

Hellbrunnerstrasse 34, 5020 Salzburg

Tel.: +43 (0)662 / 8044 – 5118
Fax.: +43 (0)662 / 8044 – 5126
E-Mail:

 
Consultation Hours:
Appointments should be made with Isobel Klier, BA
 
 
Research group:
PERL  PsychoEconomic Research Lab
 

Education:

  • 2019-2026: Doctoral Studies in Psychology at the University Salzburg
  • 2016-2019: Master Degree Psychology (Specialization: Social Interaction) at the University Salzburg
  • 2013-2016: Bachelor Degree Psychology at the University Salzburg


Academic Employment:

  • Since 2025 Senior Scientist at the University Salzburg
  • 2020-2025 University Assistant at the University Salzburg
  • 2019-2021 Research Assistant at the Clinical Research Centre Salzburg at the Christian Doppler Clinic Salzburg (Integrated Care Salzburg)
  • 2019-2020 Senior Scientist at the University Salzburg


Research Interests:

My research focuses primarily on the experience of momentary stress. I examine which factors cause positive (eustress) and negative (distress) stress and what effects these two types of stress have on health and performance. The antecedent factors include demands and resources in the workplace, study or private life. To capture the immediate experience of eustress and distress, I use online surveys and smartphone-based momentary assessments (EMAs) employing our proprietary Di-Eu-Stress State Scale. In addition to measuring momentary stress in everyday life, I developed, in collaboration with students, a smartphone-based toolbox for ambulatory stress induction, the Salzburg Mobile Stress Induction, to enable standardized and repeated examination of stress in everyday life. Findings from my research can help to identify the causes and consequences of eustress and distress in a timely and economical manner and to derive measures for better stress management.

Key Publications:

  • Vikoler, T.*, Biczkowski, G.*, Brandt, L., Brunner, M., & Traut-Mattausch, E. (2026). The Salzburg Mobile Stress Induction – English Version (SMSI-E): Validation of an English stress induction toolbox for everyday life [Manuscript in preparation]. University of Salzburg, Department of Psychology.
  • Vikoler, T., Ganesch, H., Dubravac, J., & Traut-Mattausch, E. (2025). Digital Stress Induction in Daily Life Using the Salzburg Mobile Stress Induction (SMSI): Development and Ambulatory Evaluation Study. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 27(1), e75785.  https://doi.org/10.2196/75785
  • Vikoler, T., Kovács, D., & Traut-Mattausch, E. (2024). The Di-Eu-Stress State Scale (DESS Scale): Development and Validation of a Scale Measuring State Distress and Eustress. European Journal of Psychological Assessment.  https://doi.org/10.1027/1015-5759/a000829
  • Vikoler, T., Pletzer, B., & Traut-Mattausch, E. (2026). Cognitive stress induction affecting SAM but not HPA stress systems – A pilot study on biophysiological stress reactivity using the Salzburg Mobile Stress Induction’s Matrices and Caesar Cipher tests [Manuscript in preparation]. University of Salzburg, Department of Psychology.
  • Vikoler, T., & Traut-Mattausch, E. (2026). The Responsiveness of the Di-Eu-Stress State Scale: Sensitivity to Workload and Coworker Social Support [Manuscript submitted for publication].