The studies seem to indicate that in the case of volatile, destructive marriages divorce can have a less detrimental impact on children. However, in the scenario of the WAW, it is often the case that the family life as it applies to the children is stable and quite good. Yanking that away from them has an impact on their ability to feel secure, trust, etc., that is completely independent of how the parents deal with the divorce and each other. For instance, if the parents deal with it with neutrality and detachment, they demonstrate that marriage has little value and it is normal and acceptable to just walk away from it if it isn't exactly what one or both parties want. I read a book that referred to that at the consumer approach to marriage.
