Update on instruments to measure DSM-III and DSM-III-R personality disorders.

In the last 2 years, researchers have revised personality instruments to encompass the DSM-III-R criteria for personality disorders. More recent, innovative instruments undergoing validity work include a self-report instrument that rederives DSM-III personality categories from dimensional measures, a self-report designed to be used in conjunction with a diagnostic interview, an interview designed to be given by trained lay people, and a family history measure of the DSM-III personality disorder clusters. The modifications of older instruments and those instruments more recently developed are described. Clearly instruments require additional validity testing and better test-retest reliability. Discrepancies between different measurement instruments also need to be addressed.