It is estimated that more than 1,000,000 children experience divorce each year (Adams 205). Various studies have been conducted to determine whether or not divorce has any negative, positive, or zero effects on the children involved. With losing a parent to divorce, the two most common perspectives are that there are actually effects on the children, but what differs is whether or not these are negative or positive effects. On the negative side it could be seen as a period of devastating instability in a teenager's life and on the positive side it can be seen as an opportunity for growth. However, in Portnoy's article his findings demonstrate that "divorced children exhibit higher levels of depression and anxiety, lower self-esteem, and more frequent use of psychological services".”