Congenital Cardiac Surgery and Parental Perception of Risk: A Quantitative Analysis

This study examines the way in which risk is perceived by parents of children undergoing congenital cardiac surgery. The findings demonstrate differences in the way mothers and fathers perceive risk, with mothers reporting statistically significantly higher scores than their partners. In particular, parents of children who experience postoperative complications presented a persistent rise in risk perception following discharge, emphasizing the need for flexible levels of support and information as parents navigate uncertainty.