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Background: The Caring Behaviors Inventory-16 (CBI-16) is a comprehensive instrument measuring caring behaviors as experienced by patients. The study aimed to translate, culturally adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of the CBI-16 among adult patients who speak the Amharic language.

Methods: The measure was completed by 304 hospitalized patients. Construct validity was evaluated via exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and contrasted groups' validity. Total CBI-16 scores were compared between groups that differed in self-rated satisfaction with care (Patient Satisfaction Instrument) to examine the contrasted groups' validity. Reliability was assessed using internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha).

Results: The EFA suggested a four-factor model accounting for 66.1% of the total variance. The items loaded onto the subscales were similar to the CBI-24. The CFA supported the four-factor model with acceptable fit indices: normed Chi-square value 2.65 (X² = 259.60, df = 98), SRMR = 0.06, and RMSEA = 0.07, CFI = 0.88 and TLI = 0.86. The contrasted groups' validity was supported by significantly higher CBI-16 scores reported by patients more satisfied with their care (t = 3.66, p < 0.001). The reliability of the instrument was satisfactory (Cronbach's alpha = 0.83).

Conclusions: The Amharic version of the CBI-16 displayed a four-factor solution and was shown to be a valid and reliable instrument for the assessment of the perceptions of caring behaviors in Ethiopia.