The Effect of Social Support on the Empowerment Status and Alopecia-Related Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Structural Equation Modeling Study

This study involving 150 breast cancer patients found that social support significantly enhances empowerment, which in turn positively affects alopecia-related quality of life. Using structural equation modeling, the research demonstrated that empowerment mediates the relationship between social support and quality of life, emphasizing the importance of emotional, informational, and community support. The study's cross-sectional design limits causal conclusions, and its findings may not be generalizable beyond the single oncology center in eastern Turkey. Future research should explore these relationships in diverse cultural contexts and through longitudinal studies.