Stability of the MCMI-III in a substance-abusing inpatient sample

The stability of the MCMI-III personality disorder and clinical syn drome s cales mas assessed in a substance-abusing inpatient sample of 35 African Am erican men over an average test-retest interval of 6 mo. Estimates were hig her for the personality pattern scales than for the clinical syndrome scale s. The Dependent personality pattern scale (.83) and the Narcissistic perso nality pattern scale (.80) were reliable after about six months, whereas Dr ug Abuse, Somatoform, and Major Depression showed lower stability. As in pr evious research using the MCMI-I/II, estimates were lower than those report ed in the test manual.