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Objectives This study aimed to investigate the relationship between perceived social support and domestic violence with maternal postpartum stress in an Iranian context.Design This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2023 in Tabriz, Iran.Setting and participants A total of 349 mothers, 2–6 months post partum, who were living with a spouse and had no history of mental health disorders, were selected from municipal health centres using a cluster sampling method.Primary and secondary outcome measures Data were collected using the Maternal Postpartum Stress Scale, the Perceived Social Support Questionnaire (Personal Resource Questionnaire-85 (PRQ-85)), and the Hurt, Insult, Threaten, Scream tool for domestic violence. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, bivariate tests (independent samples t-tests, one-way analysis of variance and Pearson’s correlation coefficient) and generalised linear model.Results Maternal postpartum stress showed a significant negative correlation with perceived social support (r=−0.16, p=0.002) and a significant positive correlation with domestic violence (r=0.14, p=0.006) in the initial analysis. In the final adjusted general linear model with robust standard errors, perceived social support was significantly associated with lower stress (B=−0.1, p<0.001) and domestic violence was significantly associated with higher stress levels (B=0.4, p=0.041). Other factors associated with lower stress were having a birth attended by a midwife compared with a gynaecologist, increasing infant age, high husband support and moderate income sufficiency.Conclusions This study reveals a complex web of associations where perceived social support, domestic violence, economic stability and the model of birth care are linked to maternal postpartum stress. These findings highlight the urgent need for systemic support structures that empower the family unit and prioritise the emotional health in the postpartum period.