Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title:  Self-compassion is associated with less stress and depression and greater attention and 
brain response to affective stimuli in women managers  
 
Version: 0 Date: 05 Sep 2018 
 
Reviewer:  George  Owino  
 
Reviewer’s report:  
 
Please include all comments for the authors in this box rather than uploading your report as an 
attachment. Please only upload as attachments annotated versions of manuscripts, graphs, 
supporting materials or other aspects of your report which cannot be included in a text format.  
 
The authors have done a commendable job in outlining a very clear research problem. They have 
argued ably that women are increasingly taking on leadership roles in their professional lives and 
are likely to suffer stress. They have shown  that this situation can be remedied through 
enhancing women's capacity for self -compassion which they argue can be acquired through 
training. The methods and the instruments are clearly described and the hypothesis has been 
appropriately tested using clea r analytical procedures.  
 
The authors however need to describe their findings more so as to help the reader understand the 
tables and figures. For Table 1, there is no text to accompany the information contained therein. 
The authors need to describe the a ge pattern and the scores obtained from the self compassion 
scale (SCS), perceived stress scale (PPS), beck depression inventory (BDI) and mindful attention 
awareness scale (MAAS). For Table 2 and Figure 1 and 2, there is some detail but not sufficient 
to make the tables and figures self -explanatory.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by th e data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I recommend additional statistical review  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptable  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
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1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an 
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this 
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose 
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the 
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manus cript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
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below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I have no competing interests  
 
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