Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Loneliness among mothers raising children under the age of 3 years and predictors with  
special reference to the use of SNS: A community -based cross -sectional study  
 
Version: 1 Date: 25 Jun 2017  
 
Reviewer: Aya Ishiguro  
 
Reviewer's report:  
The revised man uscript is much understandable about the factors associated with the loneliness in 
mothers with under 3 -year infants, and will contribute to adding an important view on increasing 
concerns about influence by social network sites. Almost all response from a uthors seem to be 
well explained. There is, however, one question still ambiguous as follows.  
 
Table 6, Line 252 -256 
  The finding about the association between loneliness and economic status is still hard to 
understand. In the table 6, the estimated value s of regression coefficient of economic status are 
described as: "somewhat stable" -3.35, "somewhat unstable" -2.47, "unstable" 0.95, and reference 
is "stable". This can be interpreted as "the loneliness scale score of somewhat stable economic 
status is 3. 35 lower than that of stable economic status" and "the loneliness scale score of 
somewhat unstable economic status is 2.47 lower than that of stable economic status". In other 
words, the loneliness scale (level of loneliness) among people with "stable" eco nomic status is 
higher than low subjective economic status ("somewhat stable" and "somewhat unstable").  
  This can be understood as "the loneliness scale score decreased as subjective economic status 
worsened", not "the loneliness scale score increased as  subjective economic status worsened" as 
authors stated. In addition, higher Loneliness Scale indicates worse loneliness status (high level of 
loneliness), so the association with low level of loneliness is found for low subjective economic 
status.  
  This point is one of the main results, and it is necessary to make it clear. Please confirm the result 
of statistics and its interpretation again. In addition, the interpretation comparing to previous 
studies should also be stated in discussion part.  
 
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 the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
No 
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  
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