Background & objectives: Good self-management abilities skills enable elderlies to adequately handle their physical and social resources. It can be expected to lead to physical and social well-being, and subsequently to overall psychological well-being. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of Positive Psychotherapy on self-management abilities in elderly.

Methods: A pre-test and post-test design with control group was used to conduct the study. For this purpose, using random sampling method all of male elderly living in nursing homes of Karaj were assigned to the experiment (n=12) and control group (n=12). The measurement tool consisted of self- management ability scale. Data was analyzed using multivariate analysis of covariance.

Results: There were statistically significant difference between experimental and control groups in terms of total score of self-management abilities (p=0.003). The scores of taking initiative, investing, self-efficacy, and positive frame of mind of experimental were increased significantly in the experimental group (p<0.05); but the result of variety and multi-functionality did not change significantly.

Conclusion: The findings of the study indicate that positive psychotherapy can be used as an efficient therapy to increase self-management abilities in elderly.