We now have a strong understanding that prolonged conflict and war can profoundly impact the mental health of communities. Research is also starting to emerge regarding the mental health consequences of conflict across generations. Yet, little is known about perinatal maternal stress in situations where conflict and displacement are long-standing. Even less is understood about the subsequent impact of such stressors on parenting practices.

In Sri Lanka, a country impacted by almost three decades of conflict, research is limited on the relationship between conflict, trauma, maternal mental health, and parenting practices. In collaboration with researchers in Sri Lanka, the current study aims to fill these gaps by exploring the maternal mental health of women in Northern Sri Lanka who have lived through the conflict. We will explore the early childhood experiences of mothers (e.g., early adverse conflict-related experiences) and examine mothers’ perceptions of how these experiences may have impacted their perinatal experience and current parenting practices. 

Current status 

Completed 

Conceptualization

Ethics Application for University of Jaffna and Toronto Metropolitan University 

In-Progress 

Data Collection 

Data Analysis 

Forthcoming 

Knowledge Mobilization  

Project Lead and Principal Investigator:

Fiona C. Thomas, PhD., C. Psych., Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada

Collaborators 
Giselle Dass, PhD., Child and Adolescent Psychologist, THEME Institute, Sri Lanka
Shannon Doherty, PhD., THEME Institute, Sri Lanka
Nuwan Jayawickreme, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology, School of Health Sciences, Touro University
Karen Milligan, PhD., C. Psych., Toronto Metropolitan University, Canada
Sambasivamoorthy Sivayokan, MD (Psych), University of Jaffna; Jaffna Teaching Hospital, Sri Lanka 
Rajendra Surenthirakumaran, MD (Comm.Med), University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka

 Student Researchers (TMU) 
Bee Goldgruber, B.A., Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University
Katherine McGuire, B.A., Graduate Student, Clinical Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University
Ophelie Ng Ha Kwong, B.A., Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University
Puneet Kaur Parmar, B.A., Psychology, Toronto Metropolitan University

 Student Researchers (Sri Lanka) 
Thirumaran Elamaran, MBBS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Hilmy Mohamed Najvi, MBBS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Navaratnaraja Thulasihan, MBBS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Sarangi Theepan,  MBBS, Faculty  of Health  Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka                  
Dayalshiya Perinparajah, MBBS, Faculty of Health-Care Sciences, Eastern University, Sri Lanka
Sabarththiny Sivapalan, Demonstrator, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna
Sharmila Parameswaran, MBBS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka