LEXINGTON, Ky. – Two University of Kentucky College of Social Work scholars recently shared their expertise, discussing the relationship between social media and eating disorders on The Renfrew Center Podcast.
Dr. Kari Gerth, a Doctor of Social Work (DSW) graduate, and Emily Stein, a Ph.D. student in the College of Social Work, joined the podcast to explore how digital platforms influence body image, mental health and recovery.
For Gerth, the opportunity to share her capstone research publicly was a meaningful milestone.
“It felt incredibly rewarding, like all the work I’ve put in throughout the DSW program truly came full circle,” Gerth said. “Eating disorders are often misunderstood, and there’s growing evidence that social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok can contribute to body dissatisfaction and disordered eating behaviors.”
Her research also examines barriers to accessing eating disorder treatment. That work has led Gerth into efforts aimed at expanding access to care across Kentucky.
“A major focus of my capstone research was identifying barriers to accessing treatment,” Gerth said. “I now serve as chair of the Access to Care Subcommittee for the Kentucky Eating Disorder Council, where we work to improve insurance coverage and expand treatment options across the state.”
Stein said participating in the podcast provided an opportunity to highlight the work happening at the University of Kentucky while contributing to a broader conversation.
“It was really exciting and such a great opportunity to highlight the work of Dr. Gerth and share what’s happening here at UK,” Stein said. “Knowing that the trends we see here can be impactful and helpful to others across the country made this such a meaningful experience.”
The episode also focused on helping listeners better understand how social media can influence body image and mental health, particularly among young people.
“Social media is not bad,” Stein said. “But just like everything, we must be aware of how it is affecting us and be intentional about its use.”
In addition to her research, Stein works in a hospital setting, where her social work training helps patients and families navigate complex medical and personal challenges.
“My social work education helps me look beyond the medical issue and understand what’s going on in a patient’s life that might affect their health or recovery,” Stein said. “Ultimately, it’s about making sure patients leave the hospital with the support they need to follow through with their treatment and stay well.”
By sharing their perspectives, Gerth and Stein hope the conversation encourages listeners to think more critically about how social media shapes mental health and how it can be used more intentionally to support well-being and recovery.