Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: Cognitive appraisal of exposure to specific types of trauma. A study of gender differences  
 
Version: 1 Date: 19 Dec 2016  
 
Reviewer: Jayashri Kulkarni  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This manuscript is well written and on an important topic.Trauma is generated from many causes 
and while sexual abuse is a source of profound trauma and later life mental ill health, the many 
other forms of non sexual abuse are also horrific and have huge impacts on mental health. This 
study highlights this and is critical for clinicians and policy makers to read.  
 
 
Although the authors state this is a pilot study, the sample size is meaningful  
 
 
The statistics and literature review are well done and appropriat e 
 
 
 
 
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.  
 
Yes 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review?  
If an additio nal statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
I am able to assess the statistics  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manuscript:  
 
Acceptab le 
 
 
 
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
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 
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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 inter ests 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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