SEXUAL ASSAULT HISTORY AND LIMITATIONS IN PHYSICAL FUNCTIONING IN 2 GENERAL-POPULATION SAMPLES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional impact of sex ual assault history in two general population surveys (pooled N = 6,02 4). Sexual assault was associated with functional impairment regardles s of gender, ethnicity, and study site. Repeated assaults, spousal ass aults, physically threatening assaults, and those resulting in interco urse or sexual disturbances were most strongly related to impairment. The greater numbers of severe physical symptoms experienced by sexuall y assaulted persons accounted for their poorer functioning. Depression did not account for this association despite its mediating role. Phys ical symptoms and depression had similar relationships to functioning for assaulted and nonassaulted persons. (C) 1996 John Wiley & Sons, In c.