What does "little eye contact" imply about the patient’s behavior?

The phrase "little eye contact" typically suggests that a patient may be feeling uncomfortable, anxious, or withdrawn during the interaction. This behavior can indicate evasiveness, as the patient may be avoiding direct engagement with the clinician, possibly due to discomfort with the conversation or the questions being asked. In many contexts, lack of eye contact is often associated with a desire to avoid scrutiny or a reluctance to share personal information, which supports the interpretation that the patient is being evasive.

In contrast, options concerning engagement, focus, or sociability do not align with the implication of minimal eye contact. Engaging behavior would typically include direct eye contact as a sign of participation and interest. Similarly, a focused demeanor generally involves attention to the clinician, which would also include making eye contact. Sociability involves a willingness to connect with others, which again would be expressed through maintaining eye contact. Therefore, the correct interpretation of "little eye contact" leading to the conclusion of evasiveness is effectively supported by the behavioral cues associated with that lack of eye engagement.