Self-Compassion Correlates of Anxiety and Depression Symptoms in Youth: A Comparison of Two Self-Compassion Measures

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The detailed manuscript review report is attached herewith.

Comments for author File: Comments.docx

Author Response

1. The reviewer suggested to shorten the title of our paper and asked us to adjust the abstract in accordance with the journal's guidelines. Changes: The title was changed into: "Self-compassion correlates of anxiety and depression symptoms in youth: A comparison of two self-compassion measures". Further, the Abstract was changed and restructured in line with the format employed by this journal.
2. The reviewer found our introduction well-written. Response: Thank you!
3. The reviewer suggested to replace the subtitle "questionnaires" by "measures" in the method section. Change: Done!
4. The reviewer asked us to report exact p-values rather than p< .05 and p < .001. Change: We report exact p-values throughout the results section.
5. The reviewer asked us not to repeat the results but rather to focus on the interpretation of our findings. Change: We deleted text that merely repeated results and focused on their interpretation, thereby shortening the discussion.

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear authors, 

You have done interesting work about self-compassion, anxiety and depression in young people. 

The sample is limited. 87 is a low number for this kind of study, althought They explain in detail the reason for these low sample levels. Despite this, they have also done good statistical work. 

In the introduction section, they should explain in more detail how their work contributes to society. You justify well that it is the first time that this type of instrument is used jointly, but more concretely, what are these data valid for? Are they applicable to improve subsequent interventions or programs with young people? 

It would also be interesting to end your article with a section of conclusions in which you point out the three or four headlines derived from your study. 

Please explain the value of your study and what can be done with these results or how they can help improve young people's knowledge. 

Please improve these aspects. 

Best regards

Author Response

1. The reviewer asked us to explain in the introduction and the discussion how this work may contribute to society. Changes: At the end of the introduction, we added "Untimately, this type of research will advance our knowledge on the assessment of self-compassion, and guide researchers and clinicians to choose the most optimal measure to assess this protective construct in young people" (p. 8). In the discussion, we further elaborate on this point in the conclusion section: "Thus, both scales seem to be useful for researchers who aim to investigate the protective influence of this individual difference variable within a context of emotional psychopathology, or clinicians who want to monitor progress in youth’s self-directed attitudes of kindness and acceptance during the course of psychological treatment" (p. 21) and "Obviously, more studies are warranted that focuses on the relative contributions of various self-compassion components/elements in emotional psychopathology and their importance during psychological treatments. Ultimately, such research could also lead to further improvements of interventions for youth with anxiety and depressive disorders" (p. 22).

2. The reviewer suggested to add a conclusion section. Change: Done (see p. 21-22).