Sexual assault history and limitations in physical functioning in two general population samples.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional impact of sexual assault history in two general population surveys (pooled N = 6,024). Sexual assault was associated with functional impairment regardless of gender, ethnicity, and study site. Repeated assaults, spousal assaults, physically threatening assaults, and those resulting in intercourse or sexual disturbances were most strongly related to impairment. The greater numbers of severe physical symptoms experienced by sexually assaulted persons accounted for their poorer functioning. Depression did not account for this association despite its mediating role. Physical symptoms and depression had similar relationships to functioning for assaulted and nonassaulted persons.