THE ATTENTIONAL MECHANISMS MODEL OF INTERACTION STRAIN

Integration of people with physical and sensory disabilities requires effective interactions in occupational and recreational contexts. Majo r impediments are nondisabled individuals' discomfort, negative though ts, and stereotyped characterizations. This article describes the Atte ntional Mechanisms Model of Interaction Strain (AMMIS), which integrat es known findings about these cognitive and affective factors and gene rates hypotheses both about causes of interaction difficulties and abo ut remedies. Ways to evaluate the model are proposed through: examinat ion of attentional processes, exploration of attentional focus effects on affect, cognitions, and attitudes, and preparation and evaluation of intervention strategies based on the model. Implications of using t he model are discussed.