Abstract

People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds often face a number of challenges that make them a vulnerable group when traumatic events happen, such as acts of terrorism and natural disasters. Their limited access to social and economic resources compared to the ethnic/racial majority has been pointed out as a reason for their vulnerabilities in the United States. Limited English proficiency also negatively affects people from CALD backgrounds. This study examined anxiety levels among Japanese people residing in the Greater Boston area two months after the Boston Marathon bombings (n = 313). Ordered logistic regression revealed higher levels of anxiety among women than men as well as among young and middle-aged people compared to older people. In addition, a closer physical proximity to the bombing site was found to have an adverse impact on a person’s anxiety level. The public health personnel, health care organizations, and social service organizations need to be aware of these findings, and intervention strategies need to be directed toward these sectors of the population.