Validation of the Malay version of the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 among Malaysian undergraduates

This cross-sectional study aimed to validate the Life Events Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5) among Malaysian undergraduates (N = 500; mean age = 21.66 ± 1.57), of which 90.4% had ever experienced a lifetime traumatic event. Cronbach’s alpha of .87 (95% CI [.86, .89]) and McDonald’s omega of .89 (95% CI [.89, .93]) indicated good reliability. Confirmatory factor analysis based on a six-factor structure showed the best fit. The measurement invariance showed that the six-factor structure was similar across sexes. Therefore, the Malay LEC-5 is a valid and reliable instrument to screen for traumatic events among Malaysian undergraduates. •A total of 90.4 % of the participants reported at least one lifetime traumatic event.•The Malay LEC-5 yielded good internal consistency reliability.•Four components were extracted in exploratory factor analysis.•A six-factor model was the best fit model in confirmatory factor analysis.•The factor structure of the six-factor model was similar across males and females.