The Influence of Nunchi on Interpersonal Competence in University Students : Mediating Effects of Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome and Communication Competence

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of Nunchi on interpersonal competence among college students, with a focus on the mediating roles of Cognitive Disengagement Syndrome(CDS) and communicative competence. Data were collected from 414 undergraduate students through structured questionnaires and analyzed using frequency analysis, correlation analysis, and bootstrapping with Model 6 of the PROCESS macro in IBM SPSS 29.0. The results demonstrated that Nunchi was significantly associated with interpersonal competence and that both CDS and communicative competence fully mediated this relationship. Higher levels of Nunchi were linked to lower CDS and greater communicative competence, which in turn enhanced interpersonal competence. Additionally, a sequential dual mediation effect was confirmed, underscoring the interconnected pathways through which Nunchi influences social functioning. These findings highlight the critical importance of reducing CDS tendencies and improving communicative competence to foster stronger interpersonal skills in university students. The study provides practical implications for the design of educational and counseling programs aimed at strengthening social adaptation and interpersonal development in young adults. Furthermore, the findings suggest that Nunchi serves not only as a culturally embedded social skill but also as a measurable psychological construct that can be utilized in interventions. Understanding its mediating mechanisms may contribute to more targeted support for students experiencing social or emotional difficulties in academic settings.