This study aims to examine the effect of self-differentiation on interpersonal competence, and to test the
mediating effect of empathic ability on the relationship between self-differentiation and interpersonal
competence. The data collected from 164 college students of health and social welfare major in
Kyungnam and Jeonnam was used for correlation and regression analysis. To test the mediating effect of
empathic ability on the relationship between self-differentiation and interpersonal competence, a four step
approach which Baron and Kenny(1986) proposed was adopted. As a result of analysis, the followings were
found. First, self-differentiation and interpersonal competence, self-differentiation and empathic ability,
empathic ability and interpersonal competence were positively correlated. Second, interpersonal competence
and empathic ability were increased by self-differentiation. and interpersonal competence was increased by
self-differentiation and empathic ability. Third, empathic ability turned out to have a partial mediating
effect on the relationship between self-differentiation and interpersonal competence. Based on the findings,
the personal and educational efforts to enhance self-differentiation and empathic ability was suggested in
order to increase the interpersonal competence among the college students majoring in health and social
welfare.