Psychometric evaluation and translation of the Persian version of the Organizational Silence Behavior Scale (OSBS-P) for clinical nurses

Background: Healthcare professionals have a crucial responsibility to provide optimal patient care. However, maintaining silence within an organization can often lead to ethical dilemmas and negatively impact the quality of care. Healthcare professionals must speak up and ensure their concerns are heard and addressed to promote a safe and ethical healthcare environment. This study aimed to translate and assess the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the Organizational Silence Behavior Scale (OSBS-P) for clinical nurses. Methods: A methodological study was conducted on 338 clinical nurses to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian version of the 32-item OSBS-P. A multilevel approach was used: forward-backward translation, face and content validity, construct validity (confirmatory factor analysis), and reliability (internal consistency and stability) of the Persian version of the OSBS-P were analyzed, respectively. Results: The psychometric evaluation demonstrated that the Persian version of OSBS-P is not only understandable but also retains the conceptual integrity of the original English version. Confirmatory factor analysis validated its alignment with the proposed four-factor model, indicating robust construct validity. The OSBS-P’s reliability was excellent, with a Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of α = 0.969, and stability was confirmed with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.951 (95% CI, 0.919–0.945). Conclusion: The OSBS-P is a valid tool for evaluating the organizational silence behavior of clinical nurses.