This　study　draws　on　the　conservation　of　resources　theory　to　explore　the　role　of　altruistic　behavior　in　resource　gain　and　loss　spirals　and　the　association　between　particular　genetic　markers　and　these　spirals.　Using　experience　sampling　data　and　genetic　analysis,　we　found　that　positive　affect　(T1)　was　directly　associated　with　altruistic　behavior.　A　payoff　of　increased　positive　affect　resulted　from　such　behavior　(T2).　Individuals　who　started　work　with　an　elevated　level　of　fatigue　(T1)　engaged　in　less　altruistic　behavior　and　became　more　fatigued　(T2).　Altruistic　behavior　mediated　the　positive　affect/fatigue　at　T1　and　T2.　Hence,　altruistic　behavior　may　promote　a　resource　gain　spiral　by　enhancing　positive　affect　resources.　Furthermore,　it　buffers　against　a　resource　loss　spiral　by　preventing　increased　fatigue.　Moreover,　genetic　testing　showed　that　the　2R　carriers　of　the　DRD4　polymorphism　would　respond　with　stronger　positive　affect　and　less　fatigue　after　performing　altruistic　behaviors　compared　to　non-2R　carriers.　Therefore,　our　research　revealed　the　moderating　role　of　individual　differences　in　the　relationship　between　altruistic　behavior　and　resource　gain　and　loss　spirals.　©　2023,　The　Author(s),　under　exclusive　licence　to　Springer　Science+Business　Media,　LLC,　part　of　Springer　Nature.