A standardized Arabic version of the Beck Depression Inventory-II was administered to 493 randomly selected Arab women attending primary care out-patient centers in West Amman, Jordan. Women were asked about demographic data as well as questions from a negative life events questionnaire. The mean Beck score was 13.02 (±8.13). Demographic factors and negative life events accounted for 17.1% of the variance in the total Beck score. Self-reported financial problems and health problems as well as marital separation were the strongest contributors. Family problems and work stress made smaller contributions to depressive symptoms.