Understanding the etiology of perinatal mental health problems in a context of trauma and adversity – towards the development of a trauma-informed treatment

• Applicant: Dr. Sarah Wilker
• Subject Area: Personality Psychology, Clinical and Medical Psychology, Methodology
• Term: since 2024
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 545360282

Untreated perinatal mental health problems can have detrimental consequences on the long-term health of mothers and their children. The prevalence of perinatal mental health problems is particularly high in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), with a prevalence of approximately 25%. Furthermore, initial evidence suggests that the prevalence might be even higher in post-conflict settings, since traumatic events and ongoing adversity are known to increase the risk for mental health problems in a dose-dependent manner. Nevertheless, research on perinatal mental health is still in its infancy and relatively little is known about risk factors for the development of perinatal mental health problems in LMICs in general, and in (post-) conflict settings in particular. Against this background, the present project intends to investigate the impact of different trauma-related risk factors (including childhood trauma, war-related trauma, intimate partner violence, and traumatic childbirth) on perinatal mental health problems, while considering both the physical aspects of the trauma and the potential social devaluation associated with the experiences. Expecting mothers (n = 350) in the post-conflict Kurdistan Region of Iraq will be interviewed in the second trimester of pregnancy as well as in the third month postpartum (work package [WP]1), in order to identify predictors of perinatal mental health problems in a longitudinal design. Additional focus group discussions will be conducted to identify important problem areas as well as resources for women in pregnancy and motherhood from the perspective of the mothers, as well as from health system workers (WP2). The derived knowledge will be used to inform the development of a new treatment approach for perinatal mental health problems in post-conflict areas, that will include elements from established treatments for postpartum depression, trauma-focused therapy, as well as measurements to protect women in cases of ongoing violence (WP3). The project will therefore involve expert researchers and clinicians experienced in researching the consequences of violence and trauma in Iraq, on Interpersonal Therapy, trauma-focused therapy in post-conflict settings, perinatal mental health, as well as first-line protection agencies for women in Iraq.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Greece, USA
• Co-Investigator: Professor Dr. Frank Neuner
• Cooperation Partners: Professorin Dr. Helen Verdeli; Professorin Dr. Eleni Vousoura