JD 1 Not required, but wish can make the introduction more attention grabbing.
Several studies (Abrams et al., 2014; 2019; Cauce et al., 2002; Settles, 2010; Williams et al., 2012) have highlighted the significant influence of culture on the attitudes, beliefs, and usage of mental health services, such as depression care. However, there has been less attention given to the impact of ethnocultural factors on the help-seeking behaviors of ethnically-gendered women when it comes to accessing viable mental health support, which may include support networks such as churches, clergy members, and family members. This underscores the urgent need to explore how ethnocultural beliefs influence African-American women's perceptions, attitudes and beliefs about mental health services and assistance-seeking behaviors and to incorporate these beliefs into the provision of mental health services.
JD 2 Needs more context on argument p. 3
There is no congruence or agreement among the research studies focusing on rates of depression among USA women, in particular, African American women and European women.
JD 3 Extra spacing not needed – corrected!
JD 4 The following paragraph does not flow with the previous paragraph (last sentence).
For example, “Central to misconception is the notion that grounded theory is an entirely inductive process, that it does not verify findings, and that it somehow molds the data to the theory rather than the reverse” (Berg, 2001, p. 244).
The utilization of grounded theory in an inductive and deductive approach to develop culturally specific measures provides a flexible understanding of the importance of culturally specific research. For example, previous studies have highlighted the significance of cultural expressions of mental illness and how symptoms are presented based on race, ethnicity, and gender.
JD 5 Used “40” in abstract – keep it consistent
Changed “forty” to “40” in the document.
JD 6 age of students
Entered 18 and older
JD 7 Elaborate
Thomas and Sillen (1993) state that the African American community is rebelling against excessive questionnaires and investigators because the results of these studies do not enhance needed resources, elements of self-determination, as well as their lives or life chances.
JD 8 Paragraph too short to be a paragraph.
Removed the paragraph
JD 9 Used African American but also used Black
Throughout the manuscript, I use African American unless quoting authors who use Black as well as the participants in the study.
JD 10 Correct Canadian spelling (counsellor) to American spelling (counselor)
Replaced all spellings to reflect the American spelling of the counselor.
JD 11 Remove quotes
Removed
JD 12 Correct spelling of counselor - Resolved!
JD 13 Correct another spelling of counsellor – Resolved!
JD 14 Add to the argument
As indicated by the participants, a lack of African American mental health professionals has deterred them from utilizing mental health and depression care services despite the availability of such services. The participants perceived a professional disparity in the mental health industry, which made them hesitant to seek help. The participants’ perceptions are congruent with the data. In 2015, African Americans made up only 2% of psychiatrists, 4% of psychologists, and 4% of social workers in the United States (Lin et al., 2018).
JD 15 Sentence does not end
Thus, depression has been racialized and defined as a “White” mental health issue.
JD 16 Paragraph should not be blocked ]
Removed the block
JD 17 Formatting
Corrected!
JD 18 – JD 20 (No indent, no block quote) Resolved!
JD 21 Missing citation (Borum, 2012; 2014)
JD 22 Recommend inclusion that therapists/mental health practitioners of the same race and biases are still possible.
Although the reviewer is correct, the data did not lead me to this aspect of mental health and health-seeking behaviors among the participants (concern that there is a lack of African American mental health specialists).