This is a link to a fascinating study about the effect of divorce on children.  I would think that many of these negative effects could be miniumized if the divorcing parents worked more cooperatively.  I would think that methods of alternate dispute resolution such as collaborative divorce or mediation would go a long way in reducing the stress and long term effects on children.

Here is a link to the article:  Study: Divorce harder on children than a parent’s death, shortens children’s own lives | Deseret News.