At this hub, we aim to deepen our understanding of the factors influencing the adoption and maintenance of healthy behaviors. In understanding the factors that drive (un)healthy behavior, we study cognitions and emotions, and have a specific interest in understanding the influence of the physical and social environment (e.g., norms, stigma, work environment) as well as the interplay between reflective (e.g., self-efficacy and intention) and more automatic processes (e.g., impulses or habits). Moreover, in our research, we seek to understand how people self-regulate their health behavior over time and situations to identify optimal moments or contexts for change. 

Building on insights into the factors that drive (un)healthy behavior, we aim to systematically design and test appropriate behavior change techniques and interventions to promote healthy behavior. We combine contextual (e.g., nudging, monetary incentives) interventions with self-regulation interventions (e.g., proactive coping, self-management) targeting the individual. We are specifically interested in finding approaches to promote long-term maintenance. We also have a special focus on vulnerable populations (e.g., low SES, those with mental health problems), occupational settings, and health care professionals. Altogether, we seek to explore and test the strategies that people can successfully employ to both initiate and maintain health behavior, for instance by adaptively responding to setbacks, the formation of habits, and designing health behaviors as immediately rewarding.

This hub aims to advance the understanding of the role of psychological factors in physical sensations and (chronic) somatic health conditions. We focus on examining psychological determinants, consequences and underlying psychological mechanisms of physical sensations and somatic health conditions, and on the development and improvement of (interdisciplinary) interventions in healthcare in a translational approach. The hub primarily centers around the following psychological factors: 1) cognitive-affective factors, including learning to cope with obstacles in daily life, expectancies, attention, and stress, 2) individual self-management factors, including self-regulation and resilience, and 3) social factors, including stigmatization. Important health outcomes encompass a combination of physical (e.g., physical symptoms), mental (e.g., quality of life), and social (e.g., social support; impact of illness on the surroundings of the patient in a family or system approach) aspects of the (at-risk) patient.

This hub unites researchers focused on helping neurological and neuropsychological populations/persons with brain disorders and their carers. Through our multidisciplinary work, we aim to develop and improve non-pharmacological methods in neuropsychological interventions to support healthy aging and degeneration in specific populations (e.g., multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, dementia, stroke, migraine, epilepsy), based on fundamental insights. The specific strength of this team pertains to innovation, on the one hand by improving diagnostics and interventions in an evidence-based way, and on the other by embracing novel technological developments that may be harnessed to support patients, their carers, and clinicians, varying from e-health and serious gaming in interventions to the use of modelling in disease understanding and diagnostics.

The team in this hub aims to advance the understanding of expectations, learning processes, and communication in health and disease. Hereby we contribute to improving the physical and mental health of individuals and reducing pressure on the healthcare system. Specific focuses within the hub are disentangling the unique and interactive effects of expectations, learning, and communication on health and diseases, such as in placebo and nocebo effects. Our work entails cutting-edge, translational and interdisciplinary research on psychoneurobiological mechanisms and applications. Importantly, we aim to directly impact healthcare and related contexts by successfully transferring knowledge through clinical applications for patients and their loved ones, education for healthcare providers and students, and outreach to the public. In doing so we develop innovative technological health solutions, such as eHealth and VR applications.