Mental health problems during pregnancy and after childbirth can have lasting effects on the well-being of both mothers and their children. The risk is particularly high in low- and middle-income countries and in regions affected by conflict, where many women have experienced traumatic events and continue to face challenging living conditions. Despite this, little is known about the factors that contribute to perinatal mental health problems in these settings.

This longitudinal research project examines how different forms of trauma and adversity—including childhood experiences, war-related events, intimate partner violence, and difficult childbirth experiences—affect mental health during pregnancy and the postpartum period in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. By combining structured interviews with expecting mothers and focus group discussions with women and healthcare providers, the project aims to better understand women's problem areas and resources. The findings will inform the development of a trauma-informed treatment approach tailored to women with experiences of violence in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. The project is conducted in collaboration with Bielefeld University and Charmo University, Iraq. It has been preregistered at osf.io/5jwda/