Empirically-derived MCMI-III personality profiles of incarcerated female substance abusers

Previous research suggests that male, alcohol, and drug-dependent subjects fall into distinct personality clusters (e.g., schizoid, narcissistic, antisocial). However, few studies utilizing cluster analyses have been conducted with females who are incarcerated or substance dependent. In the present study, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III (MCMI-III) was administered to 210 female inmates in a jail-based substance abuse prevention program. Hierarchical Cluster Analysis with Varimax rotation resulted in the following three cluster profiles: “normal” (no significant elevations), narcissistic, and antisocial. Hypotheses regarding the personality structure of incarcerated female substance abusers are offered; clinical implications of the findings are discussed.