Samenvatting

Neck pain is a common condition that hinders people's daily functioning. The care of people with non-specific neck pain requires a personalised biopsychosocial approach. However, integrating psychological factors in therapeutic interventions remains a challenge. Understanding psychological mechanisms underlying the persistence of neck pain can support healthcare professionals in offering more rational and personalised (self)management strategies. This PhD-thesis advances this knowledge by providing deeper insights into several underlying psychological mechanisms in people with non-specific neck pain. Part 1 examines the role of associative learning and attentional focus in movement-related pain. Part 2 focuses on illness perceptions and the impact of personalised, psychologically-informed physiotherapy.