Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: “Living like I am in Thailand ”: Stress and coping strategi es among Thai migrant 
masseuses in Oslo, Norway  
 
Version: 0 Date: 10 Aug 2019  
 
Reviewer: Line Nortvedt  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
Review  
 
Article title:" Living like I am in Thailand": Stress and coping strategies among Thai migrant 
masseuses in Oslo, Norway  
 
Thank you very much for the opportunity to review this paper. It is a well -writte n and interesting 
piece of work on Thai immigrant masseuses' stress and coping strategies. I appreciate the work 
that you have done and find that the paper with some minor changes will make an important 
contribution.  
 
The title reflects the content of the  article, pervading as a red thread throughout the manuscript.  
 
Introduction, background and purpose  
 
The connection between previous research and the relevance of this study, is formulated.  
 
The authors refer to updated, relevant research in the field thro ugh referring to studies within the 
theme of stress and coping among immigrants in general and Thai -born/Asian immigrants in 
particular.  
 
The objective of the study is well formulated.  
 
 
Methods  
 
There is consistency between the aim of the study and the chosen qualitative methods.  
 
Necessary approvals have been obtained. Ethical considerations have been considered and taken 
care of. However, I wonder:  
 
 P 4, ln 14 "collected informed verbal consent. .." Did the informants receive any written 
information about the project, if so, in what language? Did you not collect any informed written 
consents?  
 
P4, ln 20: "Thematic analysis" should be elaborated, as some readers may not be familiar with 
this approac h to the analysis.  
 
Strengths of the study (p 13) are presented, but limitations and weaknesses in the study are not 
discussed. You should for example acknowledge translation as a limitation of the study, and add 
something about the credibility and dependa bility of this cross -language study. Recommended 
references:  
 
Kapborga, I., &amp;  Bertero, C. (2002). Using an interpreter in qualitative interviews: does it 
threaten validity? Nurs Inq, 9(1), 52 -56.  
 
Squires, A. (2009). Methodological challenges in cross -language qualitative research: a research 
review. Int J Nurs Stud, 46(2), 277 -287.  
 
Was the native Thai interpreter authorized? Should be added.  
 
As Thai masseuses in Oslo belongs to a quite small linguistic group, they could be at risk of 
getting the unp leasant feeling of being identified or disclosed by a Thai interpreter.  
 
 
Results  
 
There is a clear connection between the aim of the paper and presentation of results, with 
headings/general themes, reflecting what is presented. However, one of the key them es is 
"Administrative tasks", but is very shortly presented. Could benefit of having one more quote.  
A far as I can see, you have quotes from 10 out of 14 informants, which seems good.  
 
 
The discussion  
 
Relevant research have been used in the discussion, an d the contribution of new findings is 
elucidated.  
 
 
Relevance and correctness  
 
It is fairly clear that the article contributes to new knowledge in the field of expertise by 
acquiring knowledge of a group of Thai masseuses and their experiences of stress and  coping 
strategies. Implications for practice is elaborated. Suggestions for further research is elucidated.  
 
 
Some details:  
 
As far as I can see, the paper is written to a sufficient standard of English, however, there are 
occasional errors, which are easil y remedied by critical proof read.  
 
P 2, line 25 "…expected to act as an intercultural…"  
 
As you present the results, you alternate between using present and past (P 6: expresses, 
explains, illustrates vs P8: expressed, explained etc.). It is recommended to be consistent.  
 
At about four places you have forgotten to fill in words like: P 6, ln 41 Waan said…", P.7, ln 12 
"Madee expressed…" etc.  
 
References P10, ln 4 and P11, ln 49 - should be numbered?  
 
 
Conclusion  
 
Minor revisions  
 
The article may be published if changes/corrections as directed are done.  
 
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 supporte d by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manus cript or would you recommend an 
additional statistical review?  
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please spe cify what aspects require further 
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
Decla ration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, f ees, funding, or salary 
from an organisation that may in any way gain or l ose financial ly from the 
publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation t hat 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 manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
 
If you can answer no to all of the above, write 'I  declare that I have  no competing interests' 
below. If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests.  
 
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