Examined the prevalence of significant symptoms of depression and their personal and social correlates among 505 female 13-18 yr olds secondary school students in Al Ain City, United Arab Emirates, using the Birleson Depression Self-Report Scale and a 5-item Dysfunction Related Scale. 79 of the girls (15.6%) scored above a cut-off point of 14 and reported depressive symptoms that were associated with significant personal dysfunction. Overall, 23% reported significant suicidal ideation. Depression was significantly associated with parents' mixed nationality marriage, but not with family income, life events or parental loss. The results indicate that depression among teenage females is not uncommon and that socio-environmental factors are less relevant etiological factors.