External locus of control refers to a patient who believes health is controlled by external forces such as fate, luck or genetics. Which option best reflects this?

• A. External forces like fate, luck, or genetics
• B. Personal effort
• C. Education level
• D. Family support

Answer: (A)

Beliefs about who controls health outcomes guide how patients respond to health advice. External locus of control means viewing health as controlled by forces outside the person—fate, luck, or genetics. The option describing external forces like fate, luck, or genetics is the best reflection of this belief. Personal effort represents an internal locus of control, while education level and family support describe external circumstances or resources, not the belief about control. Understanding this helps tailor counseling: patients with an external orientation may respond better to structured support, clear external cues, and steps provided by clinicians rather than expecting self-directed change alone.